Mangareva is the central an most important island of the Gambier Islands in French Polynesia. Mangareva is surrounded by other smaller islands: Taravai in the southwest and Aukena and Akamaru in the southeast and other smaller islands, lying also in the north. Mangareva, the main island of the group, is located at 23°06′34″S, 134°57′57″W. The island is approximately 8 km (5 miles) long, and at 18 km² (7 mi².), it comprises about 56% of the land area of the whole Gambier group. It has a high central ridge which runs the length of the island.